Lance R. Peterson, MD

My research interests include the study of how best to use antimicrobial agents in order to avoid the development of microbial resistance; the detection of nosocomial pathogens such as vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Clostridium difficile; the evaluation of new molecular diagnostic testing; and the study of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the resistance of staphylococci and pneumococci to the new fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agents.

Most of my current research focuses on using molecular testing methods and information system technology to enhance infection control activities. A key part of this involves designing new strategies and diagnostic tests for rapidly detecting microbial pathogens. The spread of multidrug resistant bacteria within the hospital has lead to an ever increasing number of patients colonized with these potentially pathogenic organisms. Reducing spread between patients and lowering the percentage of those colonized leads to fewer patients developing a serious infection. New strategies for rapidly detecting these organisms (using real-time PCR), combined with a better understanding of how antimicrobial agent prescribing affects dissemination of resistant bacteria, offers the potential for markedly improved management of the hospital-acquired infection problem that can save lives and reduce healthcare cost.

Our future effort is directed toward enhancing laboratory technology and resources for improving safety during patient contact with the healthcare system. A key component of this effort is measurement of both economic and medical outcome to provide an accurate model of how new technology can improve healthcare in a cost efficient manner.

Certification

American Board of Internal Medicine, 1976

Subspecialty of Infectious Diseases, American Board of Internal Medicine, 1978

Special Competency in Medical Microbiology, American Board of Pathology, 1981

University Appointment

Clinical Professor of Pathology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine